The responsibility for death certification in Michigan is with the Medical Examiner for those cases that all within his/her jurisdiction. Those NATURAL deaths that do not fall under the jurisidiction of the Medical Examiner are referred to the primary care physician in most cases or to a specialty physician last caring for the individual who has died.
Today, many medical practices are staffed with nurse practitioners and physician assistants. In Michigan, deaths occurring under the care of these mid-level providers must have their supervising or contracted Michigan-licensed physicians certify the NATURAL deaths of the patients in the mid-level provider’s care.
